Book Notes: Everyone Communicates, Few Connect

I received John Maxwell’s new book “Everyone Communicates, Few Connect” to review for my blog. I read it the week before I spent a week teaching a series of classes to 135 college students. I’m naturally an extrovert so I easily fit the category of “Everyone Communicates.” However, this book changed the way I interacted with students in positive ways by teaching me to shift my focus from communicating to connecting. Communication is important. However, connecting opens the door of influence.

“Everyone Communicates, Few Connect” goes beyond communication tactics to relationship building in three distinct contexts. Each chapter ends with principles and practices that facilitate connecting with audiences, groups, and one-on-one.

Maxwell describes 5 principles for connecting and 5 practices for connecting. The principles are easy to understand and well illustrated. As a result of reading this book, I’ve stopped sitting in a chair waiting to speak and have begun circulating through the audience getting to know people. This type of connecting opens the door for me to add value to others.

1. Connectors Connect on Common Ground
2. Connectors Do the Difficult Work of Keeping It Simple
3. Connectors Create an Experience Everyone Enjoys
4. Connectors Inspire People
5. Connectors Live What They Communicate

If you work with people in any capacity, you need to read “Everyone Communicates, Few Connect.”

Two thumbs up from me.

Grace Freak Dan

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

2 Comments on “Book Notes: Everyone Communicates, Few Connect”

thanks Dan, i just signed up for booksneeze and waiting to choose my first book. seems like a cool idea. i don’t know if you have ever read ‘cross-cultural servanthood’ by duane elmer, but it is worth reading. especially for the line of work you are in.